Rayagada police have arrested nine persons, including the main accused, in connection with the much-debated Hadipa Nikhil murder case that had triggered widespread outrage in the district, official sources said on Sunday.

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The arrests were confirmed by Rayagada Superintendent of Police (SP) Swati S. Kumar, who stated that the prime accused, identified as Umesh Hial, along with eight of his associates, had been apprehended from different locations within and outside Odisha.

According to police, the murder was allegedly linked to a loot incident at a gambling den. Investigators revealed that a total of 21 people were involved in the crime, while efforts are underway to trace and arrest the remaining accused persons.

During the operation, police have seized a pistol, two four-wheelers, 12 mobile phones, and several ATM cards from the accused persons. Officials said the seized items are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.

As per reports, Nikhil was allegedly abducted from Indira Nagar area on May 9. A day later, his body was recovered from a riverbed, sparking tension and outrage among locals. The brutal killing soon became one of the most talked-about criminal cases in the region.

Police formed multiple teams to investigate the case and tracked down the suspects using technical evidence and local intelligence inputs. Authorities believe the murder was planned as part of retaliation connected to the alleged gambling-related loot dispute.

The arrests are being seen as a major breakthrough in the investigation. However, police said the probe is still continuing to identify the roles of all individuals involved in the crime and uncover further details surrounding the conspiracy.

Worth mentioning, previously, tension had gripped Rayagada town on May 11 after the 18-year-old youth was abducted at gunpoint and brutally killed, triggering widespread protests and public outrage.

“I recognise at least 10 to 12 people; I know the names of 14 people. And there’s more. I will give the names of those 14 people when the time comes. Umesh and Saddam are the main people involved. Chintu, Umesh’s driver, is also involved,” the victim’s father had said.